HARRY REDKNAPP believes QPR must reach European-qualification form for the rest of this season if they are to escape relegation.

In Redknapp’s second game in charge since succeeding the sacked Mark Hughes, they take on Aston Villa today at Loftus Road with a win against their fellow strugglers vital.

Rangers, who drew 0-0 at Sunderland in Redknapp’s first match on Tuesday, go into today’s clash rooted at the bottom of the table with just five points and no victories from 14 games. If they are to reach the magic 38 points, which usually guarantees safety from the drop, they need another 11 wins from their next 24 games – a win ratio of 46 per cent.

That kind of form over the course of a season would usually mean taking 51 points, which would put a team on the verge of the Europa League.

It is a tall order, even for a manager who has performed numerous rescue acts over the years, notably at Portsmouth and Tottenham.

That’s what we have to show now. But we are way, way off that at the moment.

Harry Redknapp

Redknapp said: “That is top-six or seven form. That’s what we have to show now. But we are way, way off that at the moment.

“We have given everyone else a start over us in terms of points and we have to play catch-up. It will be hard, and no one kids themselves. It will be a difficult task, but not impossible.

“I remember going up to Birmingham in 2006 when I was at Portsmouth. We were struggling and getting beat 5-0.

“There were four teams cut adrift at the bottom and Birmingham were one of them. They beat us by five and it could have been 10. I drove away thinking, ‘How will we finish above them’? But we did.

“It can turn. We looked pretty desperate then, but you just need that one result to put a run together. We scored an injury-time winner against Manchester City and we went on a run. That’s what we need now – a win.

“The onus is on these players. They’re the ones that got us in this mess and they’re the ones that are going to get us out of it. And they can do it. I feel there is enough here.”

Redknapp admitted that his squad is short of strikers, with Bobby Zamora out for three months following hip surgery and Andy Johnson out for the season.

But he refused to rule out a January move for Villa’s out-of-favour Darren Bent, saying: “Darren is a very good player. Villa paid some £20million for him. I’m not even looking at January yet. It’s all about now. It is these games now that will decide where this club is going.”

The new manager has inherited a large squad from the Hughes era, including experienced players such as former England star Luke Young who was out of favour with the old regime, not even having a squad number and forced to train separately. But Redknapp promised a clean slate for every player, with the whole squad training together from now on.

Redknapp said: “Luke needs to get fit and he’s a good player, so let’s get him back training and have a look and see where we go. It’s a clean slate for everyone. We all start together.

“Until somebody goes and takes a diabolical liberty with us or with me, they will all be a part of this.”

But Redknapp can forget all about Villa rolling over during his Loftus Road crowning today, said opposite number Paul Lambert.

Harry going in there will automatically give them a lift because he is a brilliant manager,” said Lambert. “The crowd will get right behind them from the off and the onus is on QPR to make the running.

“But we are a threat, that is for sure. We have got lads up top that can hurt you. We would be happy to win the match for ourselves and keep them down there.”

Lambert once again defended his controversial decision to fail to even find a place on the bench for Bent of late. He added: “I see what happens every day in training. I see with my own eyes what goes on all the time. The 4-2-3-1 system suits us with the personnel here, so I think any player that can adapt is vital.”

And Villa have been dealt a blow with the news that their Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne, who has yet to take to the field this season, will now be sidelined until 2013 with his hip and groin injuries.